ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign policy is driven entirely by national security and the country’s security interest is India centric, senior journalist and writer Zahid Hussain said.
Pakistan’s security interest remains India when the former has many more interests in the region, Hussain said at an Institute for Policy Reforms (IPR) discussion, titled “Is Pakistan Isolated: Regional Challenges and Opportunities”.
He said Pakistan was focused on its geo-strategic position in an age when countries build on their geo-economic situation. “Our insecurity has led to a narrow definition of national security. It does not consider economic, food, or water security. These considerations have defined our foreign policy.”
Hussain said China and India have used geo-economics for their benefit, adding that Pakistan has completely ignored this aspect. “Our economy is weak; one sign of which is the modest GDP growth rates of three to four percent of recent years. Without a sound economy, Pakistan cannot hope to build an effective foreign policy.”
IPR Chairman Humayun Akhtar Khan said that Pakistan has invested several decades of institutional and financial resources in its relations with Afghanistan. These relations are important not just bilaterally, but to connect with Central Asia, he added.
A major advantage from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project comes from regional connectivity that links Pakistan with Central Asia’s major energy resources.
He asked if the cross border incidents with Afghanistan were signs of a deeper problem between the two countries or a one off issue. “Today an important question is not merely about peace in Afghanistan, but peace with Afghanistan.”
The IPR chairman also said that Pakistan should strengthen cooperation with Iran and minimise differences, if any, with the United States.
Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi emphasised that Pakistan wished to have cordial relations with all countries. Pakistan must not be held responsible for the failure of other countries.
He discussed the background of the recent tension with Afghanistan. He said Pakistan made every effort to maintain best of relations with Afghanistan. “Pakistan has provided support to Afghanistan and will continue to do so. A stable Afghanistan was entirely in Pakistan’s interest,” he added.
.jpg)
